Luxury cycling specialist The Carter Company (http://www.the-carter-company.com/) has launched its autumn programme of rides that reveal Britain's best autumnal colours.

Every route in the company's programme includes boutique or luxury hotel accommodation, luggage transfer for each stage of the ride, and the support and knowledge of a local host.

Lochs and Glens to Edinburgh

The eight-night route from Loch Lomond to Scotland's capital city includes some of the country's most striking autumn scenery. Along the way riders can admire the colours of the yellowing larches and birches through The Trossachs, follow the forested Rob Roy Way for views of Loch Tay and the Ben Lawers mountain range, enjoy the autumn-rain fuelled Falls of Dochart as they cascade below the village bridge, and see views to die for as they pedal along the Glen Ogle Viaduct. The route ends in Edinburgh where the city's Royal Botanic Gardens provide a superb palette of autumnal hues.

Where you'll stay: The luxury itinerary on The Carter Company's autumn tour includes four 5-star and three 4-star hotels.

How much: Prices start from £2,430 per person based on two people sharing and include hybrid bikes and accessories, accommodation with breakfasts, local hosts providing on-call support.

Find out more: http://www.the-carter-company.com/trip/cycling-holiday/in-scotland/lochs-and-glens-to-edinburgh/.

Isles, coast and the New Forest

Whilst the autumn colours of redwoods, oaks, beech, yew and holly are an obvious draw to the New Forest on England's south coast, there are the added attractions of seeing (but not touching) more than 2,000 types of fungi that appear for autumn, and witnessing the practice of pannage, when hundreds of domestic pigs are released into the forest to feast on fallen acorns and chestnuts. The Carter Company's luxurious New Forest tour goes from the pretty towns of Brockenhurst to Beaulieu and Lymington before exiting the forest to pop over to the Isle of Wight, before returning to follow Dorset's Jurassic coast.

Where you'll stay: the luxury version of this trip includes stays in three boutique hotels and two country house hotels.

How much: Prices start from £2,065 per person based on two people sharing a room and include breakfast every day, a return ferry crossing to the Isle of Wight, bike hire and accessories, with a local host providing emergency support.

Find out more: http://www.the-carter-company.com/trip/cycling-holiday/in-dorset-and-the-new-forest/isles-coast-and-the-new-forest/.

Chiltern Challenge

For those looking to escape London for a short autumnal break, the picturesque Chilterns Hills become a patchwork of colourful mosaics as the beech forests and mixed woodlands turn yellow, red and golden. The Carter Company's Chiltern Challenge is a four-night tour starting and finishing in the small Hertfordshire town of Tring. Along the way riders can follow the dedicated Autumn Colours route on the 5,000 acre Ashridge Estate and explore the hills to Henley overlooking the River Thames.

Where you'll stay: The autumn itinerary includes accommodation at hand-picked village inns.

How much: Prices start from £525 per person for based on two people sharing a room. Bike hire is not included but is available. Luggage transfer between accommodation is included.

Find out more: http://www.the-carter-company.com/trip/cycling-holiday/in-the-chilterns/a-chiltern-challenge/

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Notes to editors

About The Carter Company

The Carter Company is based in Buckinghamshire, England, and specialises in luxury cycling and walking holidays across the UK. The company was founded in 1991 by Wendy Carter, who is still director and chief route designer.